The Author's POV

A new morning arrived.

As soon as I woke up, I washed up and had breakfast with my family. After that, I got changed and left the apartment. Not going to lie, the last part took me a little longer than expected due to some unforeseen circumstances. Nevertheless, I was still on time.

"Are you ready?"

I was greeted by Amanda when I arrived at the front of the flat. She looked quite vivacious with her long white skirt and a black turtleneck that hid her neck.

Upon seeing her, I apologized immediately.

"Sorry, Nola was giving me a hard time."

"What happened this time?"

"…She had a nightmare, and she didn't want to let go of me."

Amanda covered her mouth and laughed.

"That's adorable."

"Not when you're in a hurry."

"It's fine, let's go. I've got the driver waiting downstairs."

"Thanks…"

Thanking Amanda, my mood shifted. Not in a good way as I was reminded of my purpose.

'...It's been a while since I last paid a visit.'

To Smallsnake's grave.

About a year or so.

I just couldn't bear to go. It reminded me of my failure. My failure in saving someone that was dear to me.

...But I also knew that this couldn't go on anymore.

As I was getting ready to leave for Immorra, I thought I should pay him a visit. It was about time I moved on.

"It's alright."

I felt Amanda squeeze my hand as she looked up at me. Meeting her gaze, I felt my heart calm down a little as a smile spread across my face.

Then, squeezing her hand back, I leaned my body forward and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"You…"

"Thanks."

I let go of her hand and moved away toward the elevators. Pretending ignorance to her bewildered expression.

It was about time I got her back because of how cheeky she had been acting lately. I was satisfied with just seeing her reaction.

…and it was exactly because of this feeling that I was experiencing that my face turned somber.

'I can't lose this.'

This little joy in my life.

It was probably the only thing that was stopping me from losing it.

So…

I had to do everything to not lose it.

***

Amanda stared at Ren's parting back with her hand pressed against the side of her cheek.

'It's hot.'

she felt the heat rise on both sides of her

shook her more than she expected. Most likely because this was the first time he had ever taken the

always be her who

Even though their progress was extremely slow, it was nonetheless still progress, and Amanda could see from

this, and her heart warmed up a

But...

with her arm while her other hand

was just

***

Tap. Tap. Tap.

flashed across Ryan's screen as his fingers danced on

was actually able to see what the tabs exhibited given how quickly they arrived and disappeared. Unexpectedly,

five monitors in front of him, Ryan's hand paused. Then, with a furrow of his brows, he mumbled under

external generator that is powering up the system. If I disable the system, the generator will activate and the enemies will

head to stare at one of the monitors, Ryan pressed his

generator for their system. You must act quickly since

[No problem]

echoed inside of

It belonged to Ava.

I'll get back at you in ten minutes. We should be able to finish

"Got it."

shut off

head back toward the main screen, Ryan took a pen from the side of his desk and signed

be able

from time to time. They were required by law to

when their mercenary

a highly ranked mercenary group weren't something to be trifled with. It wasn't just the fame that came with it, but they were also granted priority to certain dungeons. That alone

the missions, everyone in the group took turns, and at the moment, it was Hein and Ava's

this mission complete, we can relax

the table and reclined on his

stared

job sure is

for his absence, but even after two years had passed, he was

role that he understood just how good Smallsnake was at his

not think about

his chest tighten whenever he thought of

had passed, he couldn't move on from

Maybe because he was still a teenager, or maybe because Smallsnake meant so much to him, but every day, he would force himself to learn and improve his methods. It was the only

such a situation to

Ding—!

received a message. It was

others to drop whatever they are doing. We are going to another planet in

couple of times as heavy silence

but when he saw the words 'another planet' he couldn't stop himself

to memories he wanted to forget with all of his might. Unknowingly, his foot

'Calm down Ryan.'

to quell his rough breathing, and even then, he could feel his

"Huff…huff…"

his teeth, he brought his fingers to the

[Okay.]

that only contained a single word. And one that took all

seat once he sent

raised his head to look at his mirror while resting both of his hands on the desk to support his body. He said,

go on, I need to

***

"We're here."

black car and stretched my body. A familiar chapel appeared in the

while

'Here I am.'

a while since I had been here. Honestly, everything felt so familiar yet so unfamiliar at

quite put how I was feeling into words, but…it wasn't a

it was eating away at the little sanity